The first of four trimarans racing the Queen Mary 2 across the Atlantic has finished the course.
The trimaran Macif crossed the ocean from Saint-Nazaire, France, to New York City in 8 days, 31 minutes and 20 seconds. The boat averaged 18.61 knots over a 3,582-mile route.
The Queen Mary covered a more direct 3,100-miles route at 22.67 knots.
The sailboat’s course was somewhat determined by wind direction and currents.
The race, called The Bridge, honored the ties between the United States and France.
The race marked 100 years since U.S. troops crossed the Atlantic, to France, to fight for France in World War I.
It was not surprising that the ocean liner won the race.
The Queen Mary 2, built in 2003, is 1,132 feet long. She can cruise at 35 mph. The ship has the power and the mass to cruise undisturbed through almost any conditions; wind and waves simply don’t matter, most of the time.
The Queen Mary 2 was up against some serious competition.
The Macif is captained by François Gabart. The boat carries a five man crew as well.
Gabart is the youngest captain of the four, at 34 years old. Gabart won the 2016 Transatlantic Race.
The second sailboat, Francis Joyon’s Idec Sport entry, is expected to make landfall late Tuesday. Joyon holds the Jules Verne Trophy for the quickest global circumnavigation by a sailboat, 40 days, 23 hours.
The other two trimarans, Sodebo Ultim, skippered by Thomas Coville and Actual, led by Yves Le Blévec are still at sea.
Thomas Coville who circumnavigated the globe solo in just 49 days and 3 hours, wresting that record from Francis Joyon.
Yves le Blévec finished third in the 2016 Transatlantic Race.
